Denver Post high school sports editor Neil Devlin posts his Preps Mailbag each month during the high school season.

In the second installment of the Prep Sports Mailbag, he talks about the basketball talent in the state, potential challengers to Mullen football and the field hockey state tournament.

Keep an eye out for next month’s installment. Send your Q’s in an email to prepmailbag@denverpost.com. Be sure to include your name and hometown.

Neil, you guys do an awesome job. Look forward to Thursday’s paper every week. My question is about basketball. Last year, there was only one boy who went D-I. This season, there’s like five guys already committed. What gives?

— James, Loveland

James: Indeed, we are Coloradans and we don’t get many D-I guys. I don’t enjoy writing that sentence, but it’s the way it is. Now, here comes the difficult part — the kids who have been lucky enough to commit early so far this school year aren’t exactly going to Duke or Kansas. I’m not insulting anyone here; I’m all for kids going where they can. Take that for what it’s worth.

Overall, these things go in cycles for hoops. While we are fairly steady and/or growing in other sports areas, our basketball is up and down. We have had years in which there have been two guys going to Boston College (wow!) and others in which there have been none above the D-II level. A lot of it is reflective of our population and location. The Rocky Mountains have rarely been a hoops mecca or factory. But it would be nice if it was, wouldn’t it?

Mr. Devlin, Mullen’s going to win 5A football this season. Duh. Who will they beat in the championship game?

— Greg, Englewood

Greg: As we near Week 9, the end of the regular season for big schools, the mad dash is on to get on the other side of the bracket from Mullen. So you’re correct with the Duh! reference. Word has it there already has been soul-selling.

Here’s what I see — the Mustangs can be had and Dave Logan realizes this. That stated, Mullen will entertain Columbine next week, so that will give us an idea. It’s always fun between the Rebels and the Mustangs.

And, for me, watch Regis Jesuit. The Raiders are much better up front than almost anyone has anticipated. It lets their skill guys, of which they have many, do their things.

Wouldn’t that be something — Mullen against Regis Jesuit in the Class 5A final? And wouldn’t all the private-school haters have a field day?

Why is Valor even ranked? They have more losses than anybody. More private-school love, eh?

— Ben, Highlands Ranch

Ben: Dude, I am a Catholic-school guy from Philly, just so you know anyway, look at Valor’s early schedule. The teams they faced were either highly ranked or in a higher class. And all of the games were close.

Plus, we’re familiar with their personnel, which is pretty good.

It was one of those things we agreed on as a staff that we’re convinced Valor will make a major move in the postseason. Either that or we don’t know anything.

What’s up with high school’s running the ball so much? It’s boring. Don’t they watch the NFL and college football at all? Nobody ever passes anymore.

— Nicolas, Boulder

Nicolas: It’s kind of a long story, but here’s a short answer: it’s safer, not as complicated and we usually don’t get that many good schoolboy passers.

Stopping the run is big in high schools and it’s easier to hand off than pass. Also, the passing teams tend to struggle in the playoffs, when the weather turns ugly. Fact is, the coaches refer to the adage of there’s three things that can wrong if you pass.

But I’m with you, it’s always nice to watch a passing team do its thing.

Neil, I know you’ve been waiting for this question: who will win this year’s field hockey championship? I’m a huge fan of the sport, and I was surprised to see Kent Denver get beaten a few weeks ago. Who do you think has the best chances to win this year?

— Amanda, Superior

Amanda: Of course, I’ve been waiting for someone to finally get around to asking me about it. Where have you been? Seriously, I’m from the East, where the game is large, so I feel your passion.

You saw Kent Denver lose and were surprised? Me, too. The Sun Devils had it going on. But they returned the favor to Colorado Academy.

From everything we’ve seen and heard, the Sun Devils remain the team to beat.

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